I am so excited about todays blog post! I had a little over a month to pull off this surprise baby shower for a very dear friend. I’m pretty sure Aaron, my husband, was sick of hearing me chatter on about it by the time the day of the party came. I was about to explode with excitement!

Carla and her hubby Mike (You can see their wedding blog post on our sister wedding photography company page here.) are expecting their first little one around the end of this month. Since they are awaiting the little ones birth to find out the gender, a neutral color baby shower was the best color alternative. Carla loves snow, neutrals and simple rustic touches so a winter themed baby shower was perfect. Once I had narrowed down the date, I went to town coming up with a theme. “Baby It’s Cold Outside’ seamed to be perfectly cute.

From a full custom stationary suite complete with a “Thank you” card to countless signs, game pieces and saying artwork; I created a full winter themed party for Carla and baby. My graphic design degree can be handy at times still.

Next up on my list was the decor pieces and this is where it gets a little comical. I’m not sure how many of you order things from Amazon but I am in love with Amazon Prime. So being the good Amazon Prime addict I am, I quickly started building a decor shopping cart of goodies. Once all was in there I stepped back and looked at all I really didn’t need. While the needs stayed, the things I could make or find in store locally where kept. I tend to throw elaborately decorated parties since I adore decorating so much. I like to leave to surface undecorated!

A few years back I had attended a baby shower where we were asked to bring a book instead of a card and I thought that was the sweetest thing! So for Carla’s baby shower I did just that as well. Each guest’s invitation asked then to bring a special book for baby. On the inside of the books we asked that they leave baby a note to remember them by.

While I was setting up the party the day before, we had just happened to have the oddest day of our already odd Pennsylvania winter. Here I was setting up a “Baby it’s Cold Outside” themed baby shower with seventy-five degree weather outside. I felt like the biggest goober! Thankfully by the following day the odd heatwave was ending and temperatures were dropping. Just to ensure that it made perfect sense to have a nice hot cup of hot cocoa, a made sure I left a few windows cracked open as guests began to arrive ensuring the house wouldn’t be to warm for hot cocoa.

While I wish I could take credit for the very yummy mini pies, Carla’s mom made them all for the party. She is an amazing baker let me tell you! Each one of these mini pies had a lattice top! You just can’t get a cuter pie than that!

The first game item we had was a diaper raffle where guests brought a pack of diapers to be entered to win a gift basket.

Our other games were simple and silly requiring not to much thought or effort, only laughs. With our “Crap Happens” game guests were asked to guess the “poo” (AKA chocolate bars) in the diaper. Next up we had a few blank diapers ready for funny sayings for mommy and daddy during a late night diaper changing. Since Carla and Mike are waiting to know if baby is a boy or girl till baby is born, I was sure to include a roster for guests to choose what they thought she was having. Lastly, we had a few cute games on paper.

A few winter weather food items were prepped and ready for hungry guests. I was sure to include some of Carla’s favorite comfort foods. With chili, cornbread, mac and cheese and pulled pork there was plenty for everyone. So with every buffet, table, basket, chair and side table decorated and loaded with food the party was ready!

So for those of you who have been wondering how I pulled of a surprise baby shower at my home for Carla, here is the story…

About a month before I asked her to “Save the Date” and said that her and I would be taking the a day out on the town. Later on I realized that our usual hang-out day’s meant we would go out in our yoga pants. While this is comfy, especially when pregnant, I knew she wouldn’t want to arrive at her surprise baby shower in yoga pants. I quickly told her that she would need a nice dress. Weeks went by and as I planned each thing I was about to burst and spill the beans to her.

Finally her surprise baby shower day arrived and guests started to arrive around 12:45PM. As they arrived, I let my home in the care of Carla’s mom and ducked out to pick up Carla. I know this might sounds silly but on my way there I suddenly became rather nervous. Like I hadn’t been that nervous since my wedding day nervous. (Yes, you can all laugh at me.) As she got in the car, I handed her an envelope that read…

“Whether I am team pink or blue, this day is for you.”

When she opened it, inside was the invite to her party and she was shocked to say the least. A few silly events had happened the day before with her mom and mother in law that left her quite confused. Now seeing the invite, all became clear and several giggles were shared. After a drive back across town, she opened the door to my little house full of some of her closest friends. While I know she was quite thrilled with it all, I too was full of joy watching her chat and mingle with everyone. I don’t think I have every planned a more rewarding event. Everyone was so thrilled to be invited and excited to come and support her!

Carla, you have become a treasured friend and I was thrilled to plan this party for you. I can’t wait to meet your little one!!